The 10 best restaurants in Charlotte to check out right now

There’s a decidedly low-country Carolina vibe at Fin & Fino, not just because of the fresh seafood on offer but also for the beachy and airy feel of the place. Sustainably caught or raised seafood is the star here, headlined by the $150 Penthouse, a tower of oysters, mussels, shrimp, scallop ceviche and butter-poached lobster tails. There are plenty of non-seafood items here too, like the duck breast and wagyu flatiron, but the truly adventurous eaters should opt for The Treatment, a $65 chef's choice sampler that includes a $5 donation to charity.

With lots of accolades on his resume already, chef Greg Collier turned to his roots with Leah & Louise. Here he’s serving up the Soul Food inspired by the foods back home in Memphis, like chips made from chicken skins and smoked rabbit with grits. Collier, along with his wife and partner in the restaurant Subrina Collier, infused the place with the feel of an old juke joint, with old window frames up behind the pass-through, a wall of wood pallets, mismatched furniture and a big, long table smack in the center ready for the next celebration.

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In his spot within the Mint Museum Uptown, Executive Chef Jonathan Moore plates dishes as pretty as the art on the walls nearby. The menu takes on dishes from across the globe, like Pulled Duck Arepas, Pork Belly Bulgogi lettuce wraps and a Gullah Paella from right here on the Carolina coast.

Located in the eclectic NoDA neighborhood, Haberdish’s menu is packed with hearty Southern favorites like fried chicken, BBQ ribs, cornbread pudding and dumplings. While Haberdish’s decor is farmhouse-esque and casual, don’t be surprised to see people dressed up for a night out on the town, here in part for the craft cocktail menu. As an extra special touch, drinks often include an ice sphere full of edible flowers.

Helmed by the esteemed 5th Street Group, La Belle Helene adds a bit of French class to Uptown Charlotte. The menu covers the Parisian classics—French onion soup, ratatouille, saffron mussels, duck a l'orange for two, beef Bourguignon and a honeycomb creme brûlée—and there’s also special menus mid-day and for brunch. The Economy Gastronomy special serves up a three-course menu for $59 per person and includes stars like a foie gras torchon and crispy duck confit.

Described as a “Southern steakhouse meets potluck,” Supperland covers a lot of ground, from a spatchcocked branzino to a bone marrow broccoli, to a service of caviar that’s sustainably farmed in North Carolina. Veteran restaurateurs Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel brought in Chef Chris Rogienski to handle the kitchen in this former church. In the basement is a speakeasy-style bar with just 10 reservation-only seats.

Two dozen vendors in the city’s first food hall include offerings from several of the region’s favorite chefs, like Charlotte’s own The Dumpling Lady and fried chicken spilling out from a fluffy bun at Charleston’s Boxcar Betty’s. A space brightened by big windows inside and a large patio outside creates a vibe that’s more of a destination than just a simple food court. And the place is worth the trip alone for Botiwalla, a creation of Asheville's Meherwan Irani that offers Indian street food like vada pav and kale pakoras.

Fig Tree’s menu blends French and Italian cuisines, a comprehensive wine list and a sophisticated yet unpretentious setting. Located in Charlotte’s historic Lucas House, the charming bungalow boasts five dining rooms with grand fireplaces and a sweeping veranda outside.

A semifinalist for the James Beard Best New Restaurant in America award, Good Food serves a tapas-style menu centered around locally sourced, organic ingredients, so expect the offerings to change seasonally. The restaurant is small and cozy, with exposed brick walls, soft lighting which provides a warm golden glow and simple yet elegant decor. Luckily, Good Food gave up its no-reservations policies, meaning there’s no longer a painfully long wait to get a table.

This charming house-turned-restaurant has been serving Charlotte residents for over 30 years and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Inside, there’s a cozy ambiance that’s nothing short of warm and inviting, or grab a seat on the restaurant’s charming little patio flanked by shade trees and order a Matilda Wong, the spot’s signature cocktail that tastes like an alcoholic version of SweeTarts candy and is served in a pitcher.